Ceramic and glass business news of the week

The Energy Department requested proposals for a new Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute as part of the Administration’s broader National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), which drives collaboration between small- and medium-sized companies, academic institutions, industrial research organizations, and national laboratories.

Today, advanced manufacturing accounts for 13% of jobs in the U.S. and contributes $3.1 trillion to the economy. As machines become smarter through adaptive sensor networks connected to the Industrial Internet, efficiencies will be created and the economic impact will only grow. Here are three industries that are among the biggest beneficiaries of advanced manufacturing.

Saint-Gobain saw a 4.9% increase in sales for the first quarter of 2016, the company announced in its latest financial report. Like-for-like, the company’s consolidated sales rose 1.8%, lifted by improved volumes in all business sectors and regions. On a reported basis, overall sales were $10.5 billion, with flat glass recording just under $1.3 billion in sales. The company’s innovative materials sector, which includes flat glass, climbed 4.3%.

Fraunhofer IKTS has signed a deal with the Singapore Center for 3-D printing that will encourage the free flow of ideas, student exchanges, and collaboration on future projects. The two institutions are at the cutting edge of 3-D printing, with IKTS emerging as one of Europe’s leading lights in the field of ceramics.

NASA has released 56 formerly-patented agency technologies into the public domain, making its government-developed technologies freely available for unrestricted commercial use. In addition to the release of these technologies, a searchable database now is available that catalogs thousands of expired NASA patents already in the public domain.

The Energy Department announced 61 new projects led by small businesses in 25 states to develop clean energy technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and job creation. These award selections are for $150,000 each, totaling more than $9 million, and will help small businesses with promising ideas that could improve manufacturing processes, boost the efficiency of buildings, increase transportation sustainability, and generate electricity from renewable sources.

The Texas A&M University System is developing a new research and development campus near its flagship College Station campus to focus on evolving technologies like driverless cars, robotics, and new materials. The largest piece is a $73 million Center for Infrastructure Renewal, focusing on development of better materials to address the nation’s failing infrastructure.

MForesight is announcing the “Making to Manufacturing” competition to identify innovative solutions for cost-effective, low-volume manufacturing in the U.S. The Competition is seeking technologies in hardware, software, collaborative systems, and educational tools that could, with 3–5 years of additional development, lower barriers to entrepreneurs and small businesses to increase the variety and value of items manufactured.

The Energy Department announced the second round of funding for its Technologist in Residence (TIR) program. Up to $2.3 million will support the DOE’s national laboratories in teaming up with manufacturing companies to tackle technical challenges of interest to the participating company or consortium.